Shield for eyeglasses



Nov. 4, 1958 P; C ARLSON 2,858,539

SHIELD FOR EYEGLASSES Filed Sept. 25. 1957 I N VEN TOR.

PHILIP EARL 5 UN ATTIJRNEZ United States Patent SHIELD FOR EYEGLASSES Philip Carlson, Bridgeport, Conn.

Application September 25, 1957, Serial No. 686,240

2 Claims. (Cl. 2-13) The present invention relates to an improved shield for eyeglasses and particularly an opaque side glare shield for adjustable attachment to the temple-bar of conventional eyeglass frames.

Modern eyeglass frames are made in a great variety of shapes and sizes, and the temple-bars in some cases are relatively thick and wide, and in others are relatively thin and narrow, and it is the object of the invention to provide a shield having attachment means which will readily adjust to such variations in the size and shape of the temple-bars.

Under varying light conditions it is desirable to adjust the shield so as to provide the most effective shadow area, and it is a further object of the invention to provide means enabling the shield to be adjusted both longitudinally of the temple-bar and angularly in a vertical plane.

Other objects are to provide a shield of extremely light weight and sturdy construction, and which may be economically produced by modern manufacturing methods.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the shield showing its outer side;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing its inner side;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line from 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the shield attached to the temple-bar of an eyeglass frame, the dot-and-dash lines showing respectively a position of longitudinal adjustment and a position of angular adjustment;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation as seen from the left in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the shield attached to a temple-bar of relatively thin and narrow cross-section; and

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the shield attached to a temple-bar of relatively thick and wide cross-section.

Referring to the drawings, the shield, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises of body member 10 in the form of a shell-like plate of concave-convex shape in cross section, and preferably having a generally oval outline shape, symmetrical at each side of its vertical center line, so that the same shield is adapted for use either upon the right or left temple-bar of the eyeglass frame. Usually two such shields will be provided, so that one may be attached to each temple-bar. The shield is formed of any suitable opaque material, as light sheet metal, aluminum for example, or moulded plastic material. Its dimensions are such that its length will cover a substantial length of the temple-bar, for example, approximately half of such length, and its height is such as to extend substantially above and below the temple-bar when the shield is attached, so that the shadow area cast thereby will be sufficiently extensive to provide protection against direct or reflected light rays reaching the eye.

A fastening clip 11 is secured to the inner concave side of the shield and is preferably formed of a strip of suitably resilient material, as spring metal or plastic material, bent or moulded to shape. The clip comprises a vertical base portion 12, which may be secured to the shield by rivets 13, or by other suitable means, as for instance spot welding, cementing, or fusing, depending upon the adaptability of the particular materials employed to such methods of attachment. A top wall portion 14 extends horizontally from the upper end of the base portion 12, and at its outer end there is provided a downwardly extending generally vertical leg portion 15, its upper and major part being planular and parallel to the base 12, and its lower part being inwardly curved and outwardly flared as at 16, for a purpose presently to more fully appear. A curved leaf spring portion 17 extends upwardly from the lower end of base portion 12, with its convex side toward the leg portion 15, so that in its normal position it is pressed under tension against the inner side of the leg portion, and provides, with the flared end 16 of the leg portion, a divergent entrance for the convenient engagement of the clip with the temple-bar of the eye glass frame.

The hinged temple-bar 18 of the eyeglass frame 19 is of conventional form, and, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, its inner side 24] is generally flat in a vertical direction, while its outer side 21 is convexly curved. When engaged by the clip the vertical inner surface of the leg portion 15 engages the vertical surface 20 of the temple-bar under the pressure of the tensioned spring portion 17 pressing against the curved surface 21, and thus firmly positions the shield upon the temple-bar against any tendency to rotate thereon. At the same time the upper edge of the temple-bar is engaged by the top wall portion 14 of the clip to prevent vertical displacement, the spn'ng portion 17 exerting an upward and outward component of pressure through its engagement with the lower portion of the curved surface 21 which tends to force the top wall 14 of the clip downwardly against the upper side of the temple-bar.

The height of the vertical planular upper part of the leg portion 15 of the clip is such that a wide range of cross-sectional variation in the temple-bar may be accommodated, the cooperative arrangement of the spring portion 1'? being such that it effectually retains the clip upon a relatively small dimensioned temple-bar, as seen in Fig. 8, as well as upon a relatively large dimensioned temple-bar as seen in Fig. 9.

While the clip firmly retains the shield upon the templebar, its structure is such that its position may be readily and conveniently adjusted, even while the eyeglasses are being worn, it being possible to slide the shield either forwardly or rearwardly, so that in its extreme forward position, as seen in full lines in Fig. 6, the forward end of the shield will be substantially forwardly of the lens, or it may be shifted rearwardly, as shown by dot-anddash lines, to a position close to the ears, this latter position being desirable where the light rays may be directed from the rear. Also, the clip permits the shield to be tilted in a vertical plane, so as to bring its forward end either upwardly or downwardly, and this feature in connection with the longitudinal adjustment upon the templebar enables the shield to be placed in a wide variety of effective positions to suit the particular light conditions and the special requirements of the wearer.

What is claimed is:

1. An eyeglass side glare shield for attachment to one of the eyeglass temple-bars, comprising a glare shield plate, clip means carried at the inner side of said plate including a top wall portion connected to and extending laterally from the inner side of said plate, a leg portion connected to and extending downwardly from said top wall in spaced relation to said plate and forming with said top wall an inside corner for receiving the templebar with its upper side in engagement with said top wall portion and its inner side in engagement with said leg portion, and a leaf spring portion disposed in the space between said plate and said leg portion, said leaf spring portion being connected at its lower end to the inner side References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 213,881 Elliot Apr. 1, 1879 805,401 Zarbaugh Nov. 21, 1905 1,381,846 Maker June 14, 1921 2,224,784 Goldschmid Dec. 10, 1940 

